24-hour blood pressure monitoring
Wearing a small monitor that takes regular blood pressure readings over 24 hours can help confirm whether you have high blood pressure, by measuring it as you go about your normal day.
- Updated August 2026
- Clinical review pending
- 1 source
At a glance
- A portable monitor takes regular blood pressure readings over 24 hours.
- It helps confirm a diagnosis by measuring blood pressure during normal activities.
- It is a simple, low-risk test arranged by your GP or clinic.
On this page (4 sections)
What is it?
Ambulatory (24-hour) blood pressure monitoring uses a small portable monitor, worn on a belt and connected to a cuff on your arm, that takes readings at regular intervals over 24 hours as you go about your normal activities [1].
Why it is used
Because a single reading in a clinic can be misleading, taking readings over 24 hours can give a clearer picture and help confirm whether you have high blood pressure [1].
What to expect
You wear the monitor for a full day, including overnight, and carry on with your usual routine. The cuff inflates from time to time to take a reading. You then return the monitor so the results can be reviewed [1].
Getting your results
Your GP or clinic will look at the readings and discuss what they mean for you, including whether any further steps are needed [1].
Sources
- NHS. High blood pressure (hypertension) (opens in new tab) Last reviewed 19 July 2024. Accessed 12 August 2026.
About this page
- Written by
- Consumer Health editorial team
- Medical review
- Pending — this page has not yet been reviewed by a named clinician. Read our medical review policy.
- Last updated
- August 2026
- Next review due
- August 2027
Important: This information is for general guidance only and does not replace professional medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. Always speak to a qualified healthcare professional — such as your GP or pharmacist — for advice about your individual circumstances, and do not start, stop or change any prescribed treatment based only on this page. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 999. Consumer Health is an independent health-information resource and is not the NHS or a government body.
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